Oral Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments

Since November is Mouth Cancer Action Month, we're providing valuable information on mouth cancer, what causes it, how to prevent it, and how it's treated. Although mouth cancer can be successfully treated when it's detected and treated early, too many people aren't aware that they have it. By the time they find out, the cancer has metastasized, and the treatment becomes much more invasive. As a result, it's currently one of the fastest-growing cancers in the U.S. and accounts for more than three percent of all new cancer diagnoses.

We recommend that all our patients who are 18 or older get an oral cancer screening, which we can do during your annual exam. Only your dentist can detect the presence of oral cancer. It's not something that you can detect during your daily routine.

How Does My Dentist Diagnose Mouth Cancer?

During your oral cancer screening, your dentist will palpate the soft tissues in your mouth, such as your cheeks, gums, tongue, and salivary glands, and may include your neck and head. Since they've been trained to detect minor issues, they'll be able to detect abnormal issues and recommend a course of treatment. Sometimes, they may recommend additional diagnostic procedures or a biopsy to determine if you have mouth cancer or another problem. A lump doesn't always indicate cancer.

What Causes Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer doesn't usually have a genetic cause unless you have a first-degree relative – which is a parent, child, or sibling – who has or had it. Sometimes, there's no discernible cause. Primarily, though, it's due to lifestyle habits and other conditions, such as:

1. Tobacco use: Whether you smoke cigarettes, chew, dip, vape, or use a pipe, tobacco products significantly increase the risk of developing mouth cancer. The location of the cancer will depend, in part, on the type of tobacco you use. Pipe smokers more commonly develop lip cancer, gum cancer is more common among those who dip or chew, and so forth. No matter the type of tobacco product, however, using it will significantly increase your risk factor.
2. Alcohol abuse: If you drink 21 or more alcoholic drinks weekly or three or more daily, you have a much greater risk of developing mouth cancer. In addition, since alcohol irritates the mouth tissues, they're more likely to absorb toxins from tobacco products. The bloodstream then carries the toxins throughout your body, so you're more likely to develop other types of cancer and diseases.
3. Those who were born male are more likely to develop mouth cancer than those who were born female because it's more prevalent in males.
4. If you're over the age of 45, you're more likely to develop oral cancer.
5. Extended time in the sun without protection can increase your risk factor for oral cancer.
6. Some types of intimate activities elevate your risk factor because of the HPV virus.
7. A poor diet that lacks fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can elevate your risk factor.

Although there is no guarantee that you will or won't develop oral cancer if you do or don't do any or all of these things, the above are general tendencies that have been statistically identified.

How Can I Prevent Mouth Cancer From Developing?

Living a healthy lifestyle and taking feasible precautions may help reduce your risk factor for mouth cancer. Some things, such as age and biological gender, can't be changed, but others can. By changing those you can, you may reduce the impact of the others. For example:

1. Adopt a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, and be sure to remain hydrated. When you're well-hydrated, your lymphatic system is more efficient at eliminating toxins from your body.
2. Wear sun protection if you're going to be outdoors for an extended time.
3. Avoid risky behaviors and be sure to use protection if you engage in them.
4. If you use tobacco, stop. The type doesn't matter. The effect is the same. If you abuse alcohol and smoke heavily, you have a sixfold increased risk of developing mouth cancer.
5. If you abuse alcohol regularly, get professional help. It's probably best not to try to quit on your own because that can be life-threatening, but get professional help to improve your coping mechanisms.

 One of the most important preventative measures you can take is an oral cancer screening. You can combine it with your annual exam, but it should be an integral part of good oral hygiene.

How Do They Treat Mouth Cancer?

There's no standardized treatment for mouth cancer because each case is unique and is based on the type and location of the cancer, the overall health of the patient, and whether the disease has spread or is localized. The best results are obtained when the cancer is diagnosed and treated early, which is the reason we recommend that everyone who is at least 18 gets screened for oral cancer.

Treatment protocols in the early stage can be as simple as removing the cancerous tissues. However, if the disease has progressed, treatment can be as invasive as radiation and chemotherapy and then reconstructive surgery. Your treatment team will consist of your general dentist, an oncologist, and you may need a maxillofacial surgeon. Your treatment team will review your options with you and answer all your questions.

A diagnosis of mouth cancer is scary, to be sure, but we'll be here for you. You don't have to go through this alone.

Do You Need an Appointment?

If you need to schedule an appointment for an oral cancer screening or if it's time for your annual exam, then call Imagix Dental at , and we'll put you on the schedule. We're among the best at what we do, and we're sure you'll be happy with the service you receive in our Georgia office.

Make Mouth Cancer Action Month the month you get your oral and physical health in great shape. Call us today for an appointment.

We look forward to working with you.